At this twenty-fifth reunion, all too brief,

like water seeping through cupped hands,

I rush around with my mental camera and

snap photos of dear and old friends.

Later in the weeks to come,

during the dark winter months,

I will painstakingly travel via my dreams

into each person's photo and

lovingly caress each new wrinkle or frown line

that has appeared since the last time.

These friends share a precious container with me.

They remember the things I have blurred out.

We can see each other's foot prints in the snow

where we have each stumbled, stood still with fear and self-doubt,

and are learning to walk again.

(Andy Silver joined in a gathering with 30 former members of Peoples Temple, Jonestown survivors and relatives at Evergreen Cemetery in Oakland on November 18, 2003. He may be reached at andys604@aol.com.)